THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED La Sandia

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED La Sandia Restaurant Review:

Atop Santa Monica Place, La Sandia is the more casual, less avant-garde sister to Richard Sandoval’s neighboring restaurant Zengo. Guests enter through an al fresco dining area, complete with old-world-style, cast-iron ovens and a semi-outdoor tequila bar, though there is plenty of seating in the sexy and airy dining room, with its large centerpiece fountain. Sandoval’s kitchen focuses on applying modern techniques to classic Mexican cuisine. Queso fundido --- Mexican-style fondue --- is an indulgent and satisfying blend of Oaxaca, Chihuahua and Monterrey cheeses melted down and topped with chorizo and mushrooms. Empanadas, though filled with flavorful ingredients like braised beef, chorizo, raisins and almonds, are disappointingly soggy. Iron-skillet fajitas come from the kitchen steaming hot and filled with plenty of meat and a variety of charred vegetables. Other specialties include chipotle barbecue ribs that are sweet and smoky, as well as chicken Zarape --- a tender chicken breast topped with crispy bacon, cotija cheese and a tangy crema. Dessert is best represented with traditional churros accompanied by a slightly bitter chocolate dipping sauce. With more than 200 tequilas, margaritas are the drink of choice.